What makes someone poor? Why is the little girl so poor? Is it the girl’s responsibility to provide money for her family? Whose responsibility is it? Did the little girl choose to dream about the large iron stove? Do we choose what we dream about? Is she dreaming of the stove and dinner or is … Little Match Girl
Why are the other animals refusing to do any work? Should the other animals be helping the hen with house work? Does everyone in a household need to contribute the same amount to getting work done? Should the hen do all the work the others refuse to do, or should she also refuse? Is it … Little Red Hen
Either read the poem to the class or project it in the room and have the students take turns reading stanzas. Have the students work independently to write down their own “If I Were in Charge of the World” lists. Encourage them to make that list in whatever mode most resonates with them (e.g., poem, … If I Were in Charge of the World
Why were all the trees in Wangari’s village cut down? Why do we cut down trees? Is it ever okay to cut down a tree? Who is responsible for taking care of the land? Who decides how the land is used? Why does Wangari leave her village to study in the U.S.? Why can’t she study in … Wangari’s Trees of Peace: A True Story From Africa
How is one destined to be glum or happy? Is there destiny? Why do people feel so uncomfortable around an unhappy person? Is it wrong to be gloomy? Does one have the right to be unhappy? How does the kiss help Pout-Pout Fish to become cheerful? Is it okay to kiss someone you don’t know? … Pout-Pout Fish
What is trust? In the book, Thelma tricks Frances. Should Frances trust Thelma? When should people be trusted? How do you decide who to trust? Why do you trust certain people and not others? Do you trust any of the following? Doctors Teachers Firefighters Police officers Strangers People at your parent’s work People your own … Bargain for Frances
What can it mean to be rich? In an ideal world how would you like to live to be the most rich? what does it mean to love something? What things would you put on your list? What things are more import to you? What things are most important to your family? Contributed by Thomas … Table Where Rich People Sit
Do you have to like the same things and think the same way as someone to be friends with them? Do you have to like everything your friend likes to really be friends? Does everyone have at least something in common? so why can’t everyone be friends? Why is it a good or bad thing … Way Out West Lives a Coyote Named Frank
Is there only one way to do things? If you manage to accomplish the same tasks but do it differently than people expect, is that doing the tasks wrong? What is the value of hurrying? Can being reprimanded and judged be positive? Is there value in assuming what someone is capable of? Can people thinking … Who Wants to be a Prairie Dog?
Are all animals beasts? What makes something a beast? Are the people in this room beasts? Can we have beasts inside of us? (In our mind, actions, thoughts, fears, etc.) Why do we think things that scare us are bad? Have you ever thought you were really different from someone else, and then realized that … Who is the Beast?
PLATO is part of a global UNESCO network that encourages children to participate in philosophical inquiry. As a partner in the UNESCO Chair on the Practice of Philosophy with Children, based at the Université de Nantes in France, PLATO is connected to other educational leaders around the world.
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